I'm the Phillips hater and I've been paying attention to him when I've watched Bronco games.

Two of his sacks come against a rookie RT in the first game of the season after Oher went out.

One sack was in garbage time against Philly.

He had a coverage sack against Dallas and the second one came when Romo ran out of the pocket right into his arms due to pressure from the other side (Ayers?).

To me, his sacks have not been very impressive. The most impressive one to me was his coverage sack. Not saying he has played bad (for a backup he's living up to expectations I would say) but he kind of did the same thing the past couple of years in San Diego with his sacks either coming in garbage time or inferior opposition.

Sorry buddy, your credibility on this issue is WAY out the window. Phillips HAS been an impact player with the Broncos. Just last week he had 3 tipped balls (2 of them for INT's). Phillips also leading the Broncos in sacks.

You could make that 7 instead of 11 and the equation still works. Doom is a good player, but not worth $12M and probably not worth $8 either. Phillips has played well and he (and the rest of the DL) should benefit from Von's return.

I am of the camp that Doom's level of play since his torn pec has been pretty much equivalent to what Phillips is now providing. Doom feasted on poor quality Tackles and end of game sacks (when he didn't have to worry about any threat of the run). To my eyes - he completely disappeared for very long stretches at a time his last 2 years in Denver. The only thing he maybe did better than Phillips was the strip-sack (which, admittedly, is a big play). But - Phillips seems to be stronger against the run.

It will be interesting to keep tabs on the comparison as the year goes on, and particularly now that Phillips has Von on the other side to take away some attention (but maybe Von also steals some sacks by getting to the QB quicker).

I'd still pay Doom every day of the week. Probably kick in an extra million on Sunday.

This DL stinks to high hell at pass rushing. It's the biggest downside change from last year by far. Not sure how you can watch your team's defense go from #2 overall in 2012 to #29 now and say "I think that big move in the offseason really paid off"

I know Von is a big part and all. But it's more than a bit premature to say we don't miss Doom. I'm relatively sure we do.

I agree. We gained something but also lost a huge amount in pressures and sacks. Let us see if Phillips gets a move on once Miller takes the field. That will be the biggest test for the defense.

I'm the Phillips hater and I've been paying attention to him when I've watched Bronco games.

Two of his sacks come against a rookie RT in the first game of the season after Oher went out.

One sack was in garbage time against Philly.

He had a coverage sack against Dallas and the second one came when Romo ran out of the pocket right into his arms due to pressure from the other side (Ayers?).

To me, his sacks have not been very impressive. The most impressive one to me was his coverage sack. Not saying he has played bad (for a backup he's living up to expectations I would say) but he kind of did the same thing the past couple of years in San Diego with his sacks either coming in garbage time or inferior opposition.

I haven't been paying attention to Dumervil. It seems like he's doing okay but not anything spectacular.

He had two pressures last game that caused deflections that directly led to interceptions. The Dallas sack was huge because it put them in a bind that led to that late interception.

We aren't paying him a ton of money. With Miller back it will continue to be a complimentary amount of pressure. I know fans' propensity to want players who leave their team to suck, but he's been doing exactly what we hoped out of someone at his salary and age.

I'm the Phillips hater and I've been paying attention to him when I've watched Bronco games.

Two of his sacks come against a rookie RT in the first game of the season after Oher went out.

One sack was in garbage time against Philly.

He had a coverage sack against Dallas and the second one came when Romo ran out of the pocket right into his arms due to pressure from the other side (Ayers?).

To me, his sacks have not been very impressive. The most impressive one to me was his coverage sack. Not saying he has played bad (for a backup he's living up to expectations I would say) but he kind of did the same thing the past couple of years in San Diego with his sacks either coming in garbage time or inferior opposition.

I haven't been paying attention to Dumervil. It seems like he's doing okay but not anything spectacular.

Eh, it's hard to bang on the guy for doing what he's supposed to especially since if he didn't take advantage of situations you'd equally blast him for that.

It's just like teams winning against crappy teams and not getting credit...you can only play against who's on the schedule.

I suppose when Von comes back and Phillips can run a little more free, he won't get credit then either amirite?

Sorry buddy, your credibility on this issue is WAY out the window. Phillips HAS been an impact player with the Broncos. Just last week he had 3 tipped balls (2 of them for INT's). Phillips also leading the Broncos in sacks.

Not a bad deal for $1M. You have no clue what you're talking about.

And oh yeah, Vasquez is kickin' ass too.

Don't get me wrong, for the salary he's earning, it's a good deal. I've never said anything contrary to that since he signed with Denver.

He's always been good at deflecting passes. That's been one of his best traits throughout his entire career.

The point is that he tends to pad his stats against inferior opponents. I've already commented on his sacks and sacks are often a very misleading statistic.

Eh, it's hard to bang on the guy for doing what he's supposed to especially since if he didn't take advantage of situations you'd equally blast him for that.

It's just like teams winning against crappy teams and not getting credit...you can only play against who's on the schedule.

I suppose when Von comes back and Phillips can run a little more free, he won't get credit then either amirite?

For me, it's mostly just from eyeballing the games. The pass rush has looked nothing like it did in '11-12. And it's not just the lack of sacks, but how absolutely comfortable those pockets look 90% of the time.

Don't get me wrong, for the salary he's earning, it's a good deal. I've never said anything contrary to that since he signed with Denver.

He's always been good at deflecting passes. That's been one of his best traits throughout his entire career.

The point is that he tends to pad his stats against inferior opponents. I've already commented on his sacks and sacks are often a very misleading statistic.

Shouldn't everyone though? I mean, by definition, if you are better then you will have the stats and if you are worse, they're going to be the ones padding their stats. It's basic logic. We've also had this same complaint against Doom.

Shouldn't everyone though? I mean, by definition, if you are better then you will have the stats and if you are worse, they're going to be the ones padding their stats. It's basic logic. We've also had this same complaint against Doom.

One would think huh?

Instead people use it to suit their arguments, and if anyone or a team struggles against an inferior opponent then they use that.

We should be playing the Patriots every week or the season means nothing.

Shouldn't everyone though? I mean, by definition, if you are better then you will have the stats and if you are worse, they're going to be the ones padding their stats. It's basic logic. We've also had this same complaint against Doom.

Sure, everyone does it, Pass rushers, QBs, running backs.

That's why it's important for players to perform well in clutch situations against the best competition. I know Denver has played a weak schedule so far but if people going to be touting his sack numbers, I think you have to take a closer look at how he got them.

If Miller continues to beast, that will open it up for the other pass rushers for sure. Phillips was at his best here when teams had to focus on Merriman.

Oh I agree with you fully, but that is what being part of a team is. The same can and will be said for the front 4 once Von gets back also. I am just saying, that shouldn't discredit Phillips nor should he have some magical asterisk for playing against weaker players.

Now, a guy like Kruger...if we were talking about that sort of difference in play from one team to another you would have a point. He CLEARLY benefited from his surrounding cast from the results so far.

I just think you are too biased to be fair here, he's not Doom by any stretch but he's playing very well.

That's why it's important for players to perform well in clutch situations against the best competition. I know Denver has played a weak schedule so far but if people going to be touting his sack numbers, I think you have to take a closer look at how he got them.

I can't disagree with where you are going totally. I think however, he's doing exactly what Denver envisioned him doing and that is making plays when the chance to make a play arises.

He's not a game-changing linebacker, but if he's taking advantage of opportunities and making plays when he should then who cares? He was signed to be complimentary and has been playing above that level with Von being out (which the FO didn't know about when Phillips was signed). I honestly am very pleased with how he's played overall.

Then again, I would say that about our defense as a whole with the massive amount of key injuries they've sustained. I know I didn't think they'd be 6-0 right now as a team whether it was shootout style or otherwise.